Jim_Allen

Pat, I agree, exporting is more work. Jim

Drew, No matter what VW does LW will still be the industry standard. Companies should do what they know best and those who try to do too many things get into trouble. Just look a GM and other corps that tried to get into other fields. VW will always be the best CAD program and LW the best paperwork program. As the say, each to their own, and I think VW is of this view. I don't know the issue of sorting,etc, so I don't know what it means to the programmers to make the changes, and what resourses it would take away from the core development. Excel just does spreadsheets so it isn't surprising that they have more functionality in their spreadsheets - their core business. Doesn't VW export to Excel?? Wouldn't that solve the problem of sorting?

I also think VW is not trying to replace LW. They have said for years that the paperwork is a basic function and that they are not in the business of providing a paperwork program. That is also why they have embedded export and import functions to LW in VW, to make it easy to use LW.

I just bought one copy under my name and have it on one computer in class. I require that they do at least one project each semester with LW. As long as it is on only one computer and it is for educational purposes - not illegal. With the auto functions back and forth isn't too time consuming. I always, when doing a show, make the plot the final resident of latest update info. Only when I produce the final plot do I do a LW file and save it. That way no confusion about which version is the mosy current. What shows don't need paperwork??

Why not just use Lightwright? If you are teaching the kids should learn LW, as it is pretty much the industry standard, and most MEs I work with want the paperwork in LW.

just resent it to: ghann1@earthlink.net Jim

George, yes and sent a reply with image. Did you get it?? Jim

George, I am doing a set design and am applying it to the front of flats. I did apply the image/texture and it worked fine except it looked weird. Can one not just import a texture/image with an "as is" setting??? If you are willing to look at what I have, I will email the image to you. Thanks for the help. Jim

George, Found it. Thanks But I cannot get the inage to look correct once I get it imported. I have tried many different options but none seem to work. Is there a secret?? I just want the image - flames - to look like they look orginally before being imported. Jim VW12.0.1 PC

Kevin, thanks that worked. Although it could cause some data inconsistancy between the paperwork and plot unless one knows about having to reselect and undo a second time.

I am sure I am missing it somewhere. I am trying to import my first image. I created it in photoshop and saved it as a PNG to my desktop. Using the manual(maybe my first mistake) I am trying to import into VW so I can apply it to a surface. I go to the RB and select new RW resource and select RW texture, as the manual says to, and I cannot see, from the directions how I navigate to the image I want on my desktop to import it to use. The image is flames that I want to use, if that makes any difference What am I missing?? Thanks Jim VW12.0.1 PC

I found something interesting. I did a "find and modify" to change information (color) on three units, then did a refresh and the new information showed up on the instruments in the plot, and in the OIP - HOWEVER - when I changed my mind and did an undo the information on the instruments reverted back, BUT the information in the OIP did not revert also???? Anyone else see this? Should it work this way? VW12.0.1 PC Jim

I did find something interesting though. I did a find and replace to change information on three units, then did a refresh and the new information showed up on the instrument - HOWEVER - when I did an undo the information on the instruments reverted back, BUT the information in the OIP did not revert also???? Jim

I have gone undo for six or seven undos and have not seen what you describe. Jim VW12 Win XP Pro

Not sure what info you want to change, but I usually use the "find and modify" to do changes to the object information for groups of instruments or use replace instruments to change instrument type. Jim

Jonathan, David, Thanks Will give it a try. Show opens Friday so a week or so and I will dive into it. Jim

David, Thanks I will give it a try. In your reply to Pat I saw you have created a custom title block. How long did it take you to create it and get it working correctly? Do we really have to create the title block in the scale of the drawing? If so, we have to have one for each scale we work in? I going to do one, but am waiting until I get this musical done with so I have some time to play with it. According to the directions I have it is a 20 or so step process, is this correct? Jim

Kevin, the title block information in the recommended guidlines is a little bit different than you indicated. Not all the info you listed has to be in the title block, and most would use the basic. 4.1 Information contained in the title block To be placed in the order deemed most important by the lighting designer: ? Name of the producing organization ? Name of the production ? Name of the venue ? Drawing title ? Drawing number (i.e., ?1 of 4?) ? Predominant scale of the drawing ? Date the plate was drafted ? Designer of the production ? Draftsperson of the drawing For the people who want to create a custom block they can add... Additional information may include: ? Location of the venue ? Director of the production ? Other members of the production team ? Lighting assistant and/or Master Electrician ? Date and revision number ? Approval of the drawing

Kevin, What I am trying to do is when I have sidelights the color and purpose text appears in front of the instrument orientated the same as instruments facing up/dn stage. I am not sure I understand your explanation. Why would purpose and color not orientate the same way?? I assume we all want the text information orentated the same reguardless of which way the instrument is facing, so the ME doesn't have to turn the plot in circles to read??

Don't have yours - but it was sent to tech ATT: you Thanks Jim

Kevin, Can I email you this plot so you can see what I had to do, and verify if this is a bug or not. Take a look at instrument #1 on the # 4 elect and then SL in the Label Legend Manager to see what I did. Also would like you to look at the key - look at what is happening to the strips, and instrument names. Jim

No - we sound like people who have been supporting a product for years and are now having to re-learn how to use it. This update made major changes to the program - where menus items are, how they work, etc. so we are not pissing. It is like they changed the whole way the stick shift works. I have struggled for a couple of months with some of the bugs in the program, and trying to find where they buried some things. Most of us were taken by surprise by the wholesale changes to the program, and it has caused major delays in getting work out on time.

God I hope not :-( The title block will be a book and take up 1/2 the page!!!!!!!!! I know, I reviewed the new standards when they came out, but we all know no one actually follows USITT standards exactly - I was on the Lighting Commission when we were developing the orginal instrument standards in 1991, you know one slash for 6x12, X for 6x16,axial vs radial, etc. I thought then, and now, that it is an exercise in futility to think everyone will change how they draft to the standards, especially with the instrument icons. Do any of the icons in the new revision look like the CAD ETC instruments? - no - and I for one like how they are in VW and would not suggest changing them to the new?(old) icons?? As I said back then, and now, you look at the key and you know what they are. I tell my students the information just has to be presented clearly and logically. We all adapt the standards to our own preferences. I was just wishing for a more representative TB that would cover the basic infomation.

Thanks Steve - that was duh on my part!! Kevin, I thought I remembered wattage in the key, but senility is a a a a ... :-( Might be a useful addition??

Is there a way to change the scale of the title block to a different scale from the layer??? I have a plot with 14 different instruments, including 3 different striplights, followspots, etc and the instrument key takes up a huge block on the drawing, If I could reduce it to 1/4", would be nice....??? The key shows up with a measurement of something like 35'x9' - and this is without inventory count selected. The striplights extend outside of the key box to the left The legend information intrudes into the acessory box I also get a couple of "none"s out side the box down by the accessory and legend end??? I have more than 1 accessory and they all are not showing up in the key. and Didn't the V-11.5 legend include the wattage with each instrument??